John McCain: To Be or not to be, A Maverick

Many of the GOP’s most faithful, the kind who vote in primaries despite 115-degree heat, tired long ago of McCain the Maverick, the man who had crossed the aisle to work with Democrats on issues like immigration reform, global warming, and restricting campaign contributions. “Maverick” is a mantle McCain no longer claims; in fact, he now denies he ever was one. “I never considered myself a maverick,” he told me. “I consider myself a person who serves the people of Arizona to the best of his abilities.” Yet here was Palin, urging her fans four times in 15 minutes to send McCain the Maverick back to Washington.

Now John McCain finds himself if the fight of his political life and he runs from being a maverick. As much as I don’t like giving a voice to liberals even they’ve caught on.

and,

If John McCain’s new persona is not a “maverick” that means that he is now selling himself as just another good ol boy in the Senate.

All this leads the average voter to ask, “Does anyone really know who John McCain is anymore?”

Comments

These changes come as no surprise. We saw it on the 08 campaign. Pushing hard to the left to try and win a general and now he has to pivot to the right. This man will say or do anything to get elected. Its pathetic becaus by trying to stand for everything he stands for nothing…

Thanks, Clark! I have given out almost 50 yard signs over the weekend..once folks knew I had them..wow!

Over and over again I have heard words to the effect that JD Hayworth is a blowhard, egotistical, embarrassment. The fact that HE KNEW the use of Abramoff’s skybox was wrong, and did not use it just once but 5 times…without paying for it…GIVE ME A BREAK! Do you really think everyone else is so stupid as to fall for his lame alibi of innocence?

And now…he REFUSES TO DISCLOSE if, who, or how his legal defense debt has been paid?

The obvious reality here is that John McCain did not see himself as a maverick. It was a description given to him by others. That he accepted it and used it is not the same thing.

You JD lovers are really desperate…but then with a candidate ranked as one of the dumbest members of Congress, labeled a no-nothing-do-nothing, big spender..I guess you have to look for whatever you can to try and deflect attention away from the reality that is JD.

Frankly, I am no fan of JD’s but before you rant again on Abramhof and $2,500 let’s talk Keating and over $120,000 given to McCain and who paid for McCain’s legal defense? You want answers from JD? Where are yours for McRINO?

Johnny,
Here’s a conservative cause, the cause for a free, self-governing Iraq, able to provide its own security. If it weren’t for the surge, Iraq would have imploded along with the United State’s global reputation which would, therefore, diminish America’s ability to execute its foreign policy objectives. No, his leadership is crystal clear in the realm of being a conservative. Ronald Reagan was a pragmatic conservative, able to see the necessity in working with, at times, the other political party, not to surrender his values but to promote the greater interests of this nation. What you call amnesty, I call the road to citizenship. I think America needs to adopt, once again, an Ellis Island mentality in regards to immigration. The promotion of legal immigration and prevention of illegal immigration must be the foundation to any immigration policy. A guest worker program would allow identification of individuals coming into this country for labor purposes. But in the meantime, having such a program would deter illegal immigration while allowing those who wish to be part of the greatest nation on Earth the ability to become a U.S. citizen. Finally, the TARP bailout was a bipartisan effort to stabilize the world’s most influential banks. If the United State’s banks faltered, the devastation it would have caused would have been equal to or greater than the second falling of Rome. The U.S. economy and global economic system would have been put in jeopardy, threatening America’s standing in the world as a sole-superpower. Maintaining the United State’s position in the world as its sole-superpower is a fundamental conservative philosophy that sees the United States as an exceptional power not seen in the World’s entire history. McCain is a conservative and a leader without doubt.

Spin, spin spin boy. It’s all McRINO has. Since he took public office the only one McRINO has served is himself. As long as he get reelecteed he could care less what his constituents think. Prime example is criminal aliens. EVERY ballot measure to control criminal aliens has gotten over 70% support at the polls. What does McRINO what? McCain-Kennedy amnesty, the last thing the voters of this state want to see. TARP is no different. McRINO is only for McRINO.

RonJ,
How is McCain against the Bush tax cuts when he’s opposed to having them expire, unlike the President? Politics of the present are policies set forth in the future. McCain’s against amnesty, against cap n trade. Where is this all coming from? Could it be you’ve been caught in the web of Hayworth? I’m just looking at the facts. They point to a man who has been against earmarks as you so state and a man who full heartedly does not want to see the Bush tax-cuts expire, which goes to show how he feels about that. This is the same man who just two years ago, received close to 55 million votes in a national election for President of the United States. His influence and respect is broad, giving Arizona unprecedented voice. When he speaks, the nation lends an ear. We shouldn’t whimsically throw away an unprecedented asset for the sake of inexperienced change. McCain has represented Arizona well and lives to serve with honor.

Stephen,
With all due respect, what you see as “McRino” I see as an elephant of great wisdom, sincerity, and leadership. The issue here is simple. As a conservative, I would like a sturdy, wise elephant vs. a whiny, juvenile elephant that will get this state nowhere. JD Hayworth couldn’t hold onto his own district. He lost his seat to Harry Mitchell who VOTED for Obama’s Health Care Legislation. JD should have held onto his seat or focus his energy in taking back that seat, but instead, quite arrogantly took on a well respected war hero, who quite frankly will do Arizona greater justice in enhancing its economic position. JD will not hold his senate seat and will give it away to another Harry Mitchell. I implore you to think of the long term consequences of this primary election. My vote is with and for someone with leadership, because the stakes are too high for puberty politics for which JD hosts.

You can “call” things whatever you want. The issue I have with McCain is the constant changing of positions. If he actually stood for things I would not care as much.

For example, the Bush Tax cuts voted AGAINST them. Now he is not in favor of letting them expire. Where is the consistency? First he claimed TARP was a great idea and now he says he was “tricked” even though everyone knew exactly where they money was going. During the campaign his jet was called Maverick 1 now he is not a maverick at all. He used to champion McCain-Feingold then when the Supreme Court overturns it, he does not even comment.

If he stood for ACTUAL positions I would be like fine at least he has principles but McCain doesn’t even have those.

ClarkT Says:
April 12th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Stephen,
With all due respect, what you see as “McRino” I see as an elephant of great wisdom, sincerity, and leadership. The issue here is simple. As a conservative, I would like a sturdy, wise elephant vs. a whiny, juvenile elephant that will get this state nowhere
………….

The problem is the sturdy, wise elephant has a bad habit of strolling over and sitting on us.

ClarkT and The RINOettes are out in force. They love to create their own “facts” to back their positions regardless of the inconvenient history of McRINO’s action. McRINO voted against all the Bush tax cuts. McRINO pushed McCain-Kennedy and amnesty. McRINO passed McCain-Feingold nti-first amendment. McRINO is anti-second amendent. McRINO has pushed crap and tax for years. Problem for Clark and The RINOettes is that all this is public record and easily found.

@ ClarkT,

If you think McRINO is an elephant of great wisdom the village idiot must seem a genius to you.

The video essay above illustrates the point well: the quintessential “change agent” is having another identity crisis. Mcbloggers, it would serve your cause to watch the videos before quoting campaign talking points which have become painfully irrelevant.

Every time McCain speaks it’s from a different side of his mouth. It’s time for McCain to retire. He doesn’t appear to have control over what he’s saying. Beyond that, he looks spent and seems to be aging mentally faster than physically. Even though, he’s lost all credibility, people would have more respect for him if the campaign just acknowledged the gaff–SNL perhaps. But just like Obama, McCain is impervious to any other reality than the one he created for himself. Aside from being bought and paid for by diverse special interests like bigPharma, McCain’s spineless attachment to the truth is dangerous for Arizona.

Yeah, thanks for explaining that again, johnny. I was holding my breathe until you explained all that over again, ’cause I didn’t get enough of it the other twenty times you explained it in the first “maverick scandal” post. Riveting. Really.

John McCain’s peers were the ones who let him off the hook with a strong admonishment regarding the Keating scandal. Here’s what Wikipedia reports:

“McCain and Keating had become personal friends following their initial contacts in 1981, and McCain was the only one of the five with close social and personal ties to Keating. Like DeConcini, McCain considered Keating a constituent as he lived in Arizona. Between 1982 and 1987, McCain had received $112,000 in political contributions from Keating and his associates. In addition, McCain’s wife Cindy McCain and her father Jim Hensley had invested $359,100 in the Fountain Square Project, a Keating shopping center, in April 1986, a year before McCain met with the regulators. McCain, his family, and their baby-sitter had made nine trips at Keating’s expense, sometimes aboard Keating’s jet; three of the trips were made during vacations to Keating’s opulent Bahamas retreat at Cat Cay. McCain did not pay Keating (in the amount of $13,433) for some of the trips until years after they were taken, when he learned that Keating was in trouble over Lincoln. In 1989 Phoenix New Times writer Tom Fitzpatrick opined that McCain was the “most reprehensible” of the five senators.”

On the contrary, JD Hayworth was fully exonerated by the US Department of Justice regarding the Abramoff investigation. In addition, John McCain cleared JD Hayworth in a June 22, 2006 Final Report entitled, “Gimme Five – Investigation of Tribal Lobbying Matters.” (I challenge you to read all 373 pages and find Hayworth’s name mentioned!)

And yet, John “Character Matters” McCain continues to ignore his own committee findings and that of the DOJ as his political operatives continue to tarnish the reputation of JD Hayworth.

John McCain is no where near crazy. I’m also glad that he is fighting to be re-elected. He knows that we need him in the senate, especially right now. John McCain is vital to our national defense, holding elected officials to account and speaking truth to power.

JD is telling everyone that the only reason he decided to run is because he got fired from his local talk radio program and he blames John McCain. That is the ulitimate in lack of leadership; blaming another person for getting fired. If that were really the case, JD should sue the radio station. He won’t. He can’t. It’s not true.

Now JD is trying to blame John McCain for his continued problems from accepting gifts and not reporting them while he was in office. Take some responsibility. If he didn’t do it. Then he’s fine. If he did it, take responsibility and move on. Stop blaming other people. We already have the ultimate Blamer-n-Chief in the White House. That’s enough.

John McCain never blames others for his actions – that’s character. JD has made several career changes with the theme of blaming others – that’s not character.

You must look at the totality of McCain’s politcal life, not just the past 16 months while he makes a sharp right turn in his attempt to get re-elected. For the greater part of his time in office, John McCain has “reached across the aisle” to the Democrats and the left while backhanding his Republican colleagues, especially conservatives. He strongly opposed the Bush tax cuts, until now, when he faces a serious challenge from the right. He favors “comprehensive immigration reform,” which is code for amnesty. McCain-Feingold–what a piece of unConstitutional crap! Yes, McCain is a solid 80% conservative. But the problem is, the other 20% are deal breakers. I use the following analogy to make my point: You’re married to a beautiful woman. She’s a good mother, good cook and good homemaker. But she enjoys having sex with the pool boy. That’s a deal breaker.

Saying you are misled about TARP. If he was taking responsibility wouldnt he stand by the vote and not try and blame others. THis is the OPPOSITE of leadership and responsibility and this is just in the last 2 months, there are plenty of other examples.

If this issue is so important to you, why don’t you know the facts? McCain did ask for restrictions. He also voted for restrictions. Do some homework. Getting talking points from the opponents campaign and from the liberal media isn’t working for you.

If McCain is running from “Maverick” – that’s YEARS of his career “meme” – his “trademark” – so what are voters supposed to think? He’s lying or he is not to be taken seriously about anything he says? Now we take THAT and put it up to McCain saying, “Forget about my record, THINK of my POTENTIAL.”
The guy’s over 70 years old and he’s running on “future potential?”
WIth all due respect … at his age “future potential” can mean a lot of things.

Frankly have enough of selfish Senators who hold on to their seats forever – Strom Thurmond at 100? Anyone see Robert Byrd lately? There is NO WAY NO WAY NO WAY for at least a DECADE he’s earned his salary. He’s been reduced to a prop. It’s pathetic.

The whole why don’t you look it up line is something wanumba used one time when he had a lack of actual evidence. I have a feeling this is the same…

What is this amendment called that you speak of… And I repat my question why vote for it if he had such reservations?

Obviously the amendment you speak of did nothing or didn’t pass so either way mccain has no excuse. He touted this bill as a great necessary thing and now blames others for the way it was spent… He is a classless.

Also you want another maverick story. Go to politico they have a WHOLE article just on that. So mccains hypocriscy has gone national

About Sonoran Alliance

Arizona's most popular and prominent political blog covering political news and events, commentary and information with a blatantly conservative worldview. We are an alliance of writers, activists, consultants and government insiders.